If a crime is committed in order to prevent a greater crime, is it forgivable? Is it, in fact, necessary?

Join SanDiego350 for a screening of The Reluctant Radical, which follows activist Ken Ward as he confronts his fears and puts himself in the direct path of the fossil fuel industry to combat climate change. Ken breaks the law as a last resort, to fulfill what he sees as his personal obligation to future generations. After twenty years leading environmental organizations, Ken became increasingly alarmed by both the scientific evidence of climate change and the repercussions for civilization as we know it. Ken pushed for a crisis level response from inside environmental organizations. Those efforts failed, and he now embraces direct action civil disobedience as the most effective political tool to deal with catastrophic circumstances.

Special guest: On the occasion of this Anniversary Screening, we are very pleased that Ken Ward himself will join us through video conference after the show.

Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door – no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Free parking in the UU parking lot (passes at the screening). 6:15- refreshments and mingle / 6:45- movie screening / 8:15- discussion with Ken Ward / 9:00- wrap up

THE RELUCTANT RADICAL follows Ken for a year and a half through a series of direct actions, culminating with his participation in the coordinated action that shut down all the U.S. tar sands oil pipelines on October 11, 2016. The film reveals both the personal costs and also the fulfillment that comes from following one’s moral calling- even if that means breaking the law. Ken Ward has no regrets, and his certainty leaves the audience to consider if he is out of touch with reality, or if it is the rest of society that is delusional for not acting when faced with the unsettling evidence that we are collectively destroying our world.

Director Lindsey Grayzel, co-producer Deia Schlosberg and cinematographer Carl Davis were three of four independent filmmakers to be arrested and charged with crimes for filming the activists on October 11, 2016. Their charges have been dropped, and they have joined forces to tell Ken’s story through this film.

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